The project is one of three schemes in the pipeline in London, which are moving ahead.

In a trading statement this morning Mark Allan, chief executive of Unite Group, confirmed that its Angel Lane project close to Westfield’s Stratford City was now due to start on site soon.

The contract is believed to be worth around £25m and will see McAleer & Rushe deliver nearly 700 rooms in a building complex ranging from two to 14 storeys.

Ardmore and Shepherd Construction were also understood to be chasing the project.

The student developer also plans a major 990 bed scheme at London Metropolitan University’s Holloway Road campus in North London.

Balfour Beatty’s building arm Mansell is advising on the construction programme for the major complex of four buildings rising to 14 floors on the Holloway Road. This is due to open in 2016.

Tenders for the project are set to be formally invited by the end of this year.

In September, Unite’s joint venture with GIC, the real estate arm of the Government of Singapore Investment Corporation, secured a new site and outline planning consent for around 700 beds in Wembley Park, which has been targeted for 2016 delivery.